STORRS, CT (June 9) -- Four-year University of Connecticut baseball team standout Mike James (Roswell, GA) has been drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 28th round of the 2004 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. James is the 113th Husky in the program’s history to be either drafted or signed.

James will begin his professional career with the Lowell Spinners, the Class A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.

James, a 2004 team captain, finished his first season as a starting pitcher with a 5-5 record and a 5.38 ERA. His 90.1 innings pitched led the squad and his 54 strikeouts were second most on the team. During his first three seasons at UConn, James established himself as the Huskies’ most prolific closer. He established a program-high nine saves in 2002 and eclipsed that record in 2003 when saved 11 ball games for the Huskies. He is UConn’s career record holder in saves with 22. No other Husky has accumulated more than six saves in a career.

Head Coach Jim Penders on the drafting of James: "Mike took an unusual route to UConn, coming north from Roswell, Georgia to play in the BIG EAST and it is great to see his faith in our program has been rewarded with this very special opportunity. He came a long way from a catcher/pitcher roll as a freshman to a bulldog competitor on the mound with a bright future in the Red Sox organization. He excelled under the guidance of associate head coach Dave Turgeon, and was once again one of our most reliable pitchers during the 2004 season. I would like to thank him for all his hard work at Connecticut and wish Mike and his family the very best."